Emergency Management Coordinator

About the role

POSTING TYPE: Open competitive. DEPARTMENT: Risk Management. HOURS: Full-time. HIRING RANGE: $82,337 - $102,921 /year (Grade 109). SALARY RANGE: $82,337 - $128,651 /year. LOCATION: Dakota County Administration Center, Hastings. UNION: None. CLOSE DATE: 4:30 p.m. on 9/24/2026. First review of applicants on 9/18/2026. Dakota County is Minnesota’s third‑most populous county, with an estimated 460,000 residents, located in the southeast portion of the Minneapolis‑St. Paul metro. The county includes dense urban communities, fast‑growing suburbs, and rural areas. Combined with major transportation corridors, critical infrastructure, and river frontage along the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, there is a broad range of hazards that impact the County. This role coordinates with County departments and municipal communities within the County, including local first responders, public health, public works, communications, administration, and elected officials. Coordination includes planning, training, exercising, responding to, and recovering from disasters or incidents that impact Dakota County and its regional, state, and federal partners. The position fulfills the appointed role of Emergency Management Deputy Director as defined by MN Statute 12.25, subd. 2. The position requires periodic work outside of core business hours (Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 4:30 pm) to include evenings and weekends and response to emergency events as needed.

Responsibilities

• Exercise and Training Coordination – Coordinate the design, development, and evaluation of trainings, drills, and exercises, including drills and exercises related to Byllesby Dam EAP, Radiological Emergency Preparedness, Domestic Preparedness Committee plans, County Emergency Operations Plans, and Exercise Design Team Full‑Scale Exercises.
• Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program – Serve as the County’s primary coordinator for the REP program for the Prairie Island Nuclear Generating Plant, including plan updates, FEMA & NRC evaluated exercises, County trainings, and act as the liaison with Xcel, state, and federal REP partners.
• Grant Management – With support from the Emergency Management Director, research, develop, and assist managing all appropriate grant applications including, but not limited to, the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI), Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG), Radiological Emergency Preparedness Grant (REP), Port Security Grant Program (PSGP), and applicable mitigation grants. Implement grant awards consistent with grant guidelines.
• Support public health preparedness plans including coordination of the transportation plan for medications to mass dispensing, health care and local distribution sites.
• Support Continuity of Operations (COOP) planning and coordination, including the support of plan updates, trainings, and exercises.
• Act as a liaison between Dakota County Emergency Management and external agencies to ensure that Dakota County interests are represented in an appropriate and professional manner in accord with state, county, and professional standards.
• In conjunction with the County Emergency Management Manager, maintain twenty‑four (24) hour, seven (7) days/week communication capability for county personnel and community partners in the event of disasters or emergency incidents.
• Support monitoring and testing of the County Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and backup EOC to ensure availability on the 24/7 basis.
• Provide consultation and technical expertise regarding operations and administration of local emergency preparedness programs to County staff and municipal partners to develop, maintain, and assess emergency preparedness mechanisms and individual program needs.
• Prepare reports as needed to ensure compliance with all county, state, or federal requirements.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree